Lasing in 15 atm CO<sub>2</sub> cell optically pumped by a Fe:ZnSe laser
D. Tovey, J. J. Pigeon, Sergei Tochitsky, G. J. Louwrens, I. Ben‐Zvi, Dmitry Martyshkin, Vladimir Fedorov, Krishna Karki, Sergey Mirov, C. Joshi
Abstract
10 µm lasing is studied in a compact CO 2 -He cell pressurized up to 15 atm when optically pumped by a ∼50 mJ Fe:ZnSe laser tunable around 4.3 µm. The optimal pump wavelength and partial pressure of CO 2 for generating 10 µm pulses are found to be ∼4.4 µm and 0.75 atm, respectively. Without cavity optimization, the optical-to-optical conversion efficiency reached ∼10% at a total pressure of 7 atm. The gain lifetime is measured to be ∼1 µs at pressures above 10 atm, indicating the feasibility of using high-pressure optically pumped CO 2 for the efficient amplification of picosecond 10 µm pulses.
Topics & Concepts
Lasing thresholdMaterials scienceOpticsOptical pumpingLaserPicosecondOptoelectronicsEnergy conversion efficiencyWavelengthPhysicsSpectroscopy and Laser ApplicationsLaser Design and ApplicationsSolid State Laser Technologies